Bojangles to centre

[TV Ted Ellery]

Anybody who claims that centres and secondrowers are interchangeable in the modern game need look no further than Bodene Thompson. While his form in the second row has been fantastic he has struggled every time he has shifted to centre to cover an injury in the backline. In fact, it has been apparent from the first time he filled in at centre to replace Ashyford against Brisbane last year. Opposition teams have directed their attack down his flank with great success, exploiting his lack of pace and lateral movement. In addition, he lacks the finesse to set up his winger in attack (but so do Lawrence and Julia).

I don't want to criticise Bojangles too much for playing out of position. I'm also mindful of our mounting injury toll and the limited options at Potter's disposal. Can anybody think of another option to replace Bojangles in the centre? Who else do we have in the top squad? I'm at a bit of a loss. Hands Halatau was marked never to play at centre after the Cowboys debacle in 2004. Akauola would have more pace but he probably doesn't have the stamina to last an entire game on the field. Rowe could slot in on the wing and Julia moved to the centres though that combination doesn't inspire much confidence either. Depressing as it is to admit, Bojangles appears to be our best option. Well, we'll just have to brace for the deluge of points down the Bojangles-Julia flank.

 

[madunit]

I think Sironen would be a better centre option. He has the passing game that Lawrence, Lulia and Bojangles all lack.

he also knows he is not fast, so his primary instinct, thanks to being a five-eighth most of his career is to create space/opportunity for the man outside him.

he has a good offload too and is laterally quicker than Bojangles.

Sironen also hasn't made the transition to the back row too well just yet, so I think centre would see him in the best transitional position for him, where he can still use his passing game, but also learn to run good lines etc that is required of a back rower.

 

[Tigers Tale]

I am not sure who we can use due to this second tier restriction but of those available I'd probably agree with Madunit that Siro is the best option. We are robbing Peter to pay Paul really. Thompson has been in pretty good form playing in the second row but does struggle at centre. Soro on the other hand has been having some difficulties in the second row so he'd be my choice for most of the reason outlined by Maduint.

We really are in trouble with our backs at the moment. Moses is going to be struggling to control Hoffman and Proctor when they come charging through the line.

 

[BrotherJim05]

I would rather see Halutau at centre than Bodene.

Bodene has proven to be in better form in the back row than Halutau, and I really don't see how Halutau could be any worse than Bodene.

 

[851]

Thompson has no idea at centre,and Potter has no idea by picking him there,hell Austin,Sirro anyone could do better,and when you combine Thompson with Lulia it becomes laughable,I say Mick you deserve to be punted for picking teams like this over and over again.

 

[super_coach]

Thompson has no idea at centre,and Potter has no idea by picking him there,hell Austin,Sirro anyone could do better,and when you combine Thompson with Lulia it becomes laughable,I say Mick you deserve to be punted for picking teams like this over and over again.

Last sunday, they would sweep play from Farah to Austen and Austen would hit the ball and look for his options, a long ball to keith???, no he was 25 yards back down field, a short ball to Bojangles, he was not on the radar, so he had to try and pull a rabbit out of the hat, and that is just in attack, defensively they would have struggled against most well drilled A grade sides.Crazy crazy crazy

 

[hybrid_tiger]

Akauola or Halatau would be much better options.

 

[macnaz]

Akauola or Halatau would be much better options.

Aka me.. at centre he would easily jave 80mins.

 

[Vic Mackey]

Agree with all

Bodene puts in but his defence at center is diabolical

Can't understand why sitalieki or halatau aren't there. Hell I'd rather Sue at center then Thompson.

When is Paterson back, it's 11 weeks this week. Wasnt it an 8-12 week injury?

 

[gronkathon]

Even if he were picked Akouala would be very lucky to play.

Pretty severe concussion on the weekend

 

[macnaz]

Even if he were picked Akouala would be very lucky to play.

Pretty severe concussion on the weekend

Fair enough.. but its not like this type of selection is a one off.. He could have picked Aka last week or anytime this year over and hasn't.

 

[Vic Mackey]

Even if he were picked Akouala would be very lucky to play.

Pretty severe concussion on the weekend

It's a 9 day break so hopefully that helps out

 

[macnaz]

Thompson has no idea at centre,and Potter has no idea by picking him there,hell Austin,Sirro anyone could do better,and when you combine Thompson with Lulia it becomes laughable,I say Mick you deserve to be punted for picking teams like this over and over again.

Seriously I will defend Pots when it comes to being white anted and not being given the chance to meet his goals of making the 8 by being hijacked from board and players..BUT! If the game plans are solely Micks and the selections of backs like Lawrence, Anasta ,Lulia & Thompson and the arsholing of Kori are solely Micks well the guy is f**king useless and doesn't deserve a new contract.

 

[Tiger05]

Seriously I will defend Pots when it comes to being white anted and not being given the chance to meet his goals of making the 8 by being hijacked from board and players..BUT! If the game plans are solely Micks and the selections of backs like Lawrence, Anasta ,Lulia & Thompson and the arsholing of Kori are solely Micks well the guy is f**king useless and doesn't deserve a new contract.

Some of these calls have been freaken terrible haven't they.

I can handle Lawrence being out there and I think he might be our best right centre. Lulia to me is fine as a back-up.

Anasta over Austin or Moses is just freaken nuts. Getting rid of Koro is just as bad.

 

[851]

Some of these calls have been freaken terrible haven't they.

I can handle Lawrence being out there and I think he might be our best right centre. Lulia to me is fine as a back-up.

Anasta over Austin or Moses is just freaken nuts. Getting rid of Koro is just as bad.

Thompson makes Rowdy look like Reg Gasnier,everyone can see it,why can't a bloke who is picking teams to save his job see it,god help us if he got a 2 or 3 year deal and was comfortable,the sides he would pick would be worse.

 

[Irvine]

Seriously I will defend Pots when it comes to being white anted and not being given the chance to meet his goals of making the 8 by being hijacked from board and players..BUT! If the game plans are solely Micks and the selections of backs like Lawrence, Anasta ,Lulia & Thompson and the arsholing of Kori are solely Micks well the guy is f**king useless and doesn't deserve a new contract.

The selections are all Potter's. Robbie even said it in the press conference saying he had been at Mick for ages to give Moses a go.
Getting rid of Koribete was a terrible decision. Even with all the injuries now if Koribete was still here for sure Potter would still not be giving him a go.

 

[Tiger05]

Thompson makes Rowdy look like Reg Gasnier,everyone can see it,why can't a bloke who is picking teams to save his job see it,god help us if he got a 2 or 3 year deal and was comfortable,the sides he would pick would be worse.

It is a concern isn't it.

 

[moller]

Akouala isn't part of the top 25 I believe (and we've likely exhausted our 2nd tier allowance).

 

[benched tiger]

It is a concern isn't it.

Yep it's a f**king joke really and each week the problem seems to keep repeating itself.Gus Gould even made comment in an article about how specialist centres in lower grades are being overlooked and replaced by backrowers with limited skills out wide.WT,GC and Roosters are teams that come to mind following this trend.Injuries and cap restraints may force these selections but the down side to this policy it limits both our attack and defence out wide.:crazy:

 

[super_coach]

People keep talking about the glory days ahead, i know we have Brooks,Moses and Tedesco, but gee we lack a centres and a attacking backrower and some quality backline depth. If the club dosn't do some serious recruiting our young whiz kids will amount to nothing